Rotary ore furnace



June 14, 1932. l

A. M. THOMSEN ROTARY ORE FURNACE 2 Sheets-.Sheet l Filed June 24, l929 mfg QMS-*1MM INVENTQR.

BY MQ- ATT EY 2 une 14, 1932. A, M THQMSEN ROTARY ORE FURNACB -Filed June 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patentedv June 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE ALFRED THOMSEN, F SAN' FRANCISCO, CALIFQRNIA ROTARY oma:y FURNACE .Application ledi June 24,`

This invention relates to ore furnaces of the rotary type; and it consists in the novel construction,.combination, and arrangement of parts. hereinafter described, and later The object of my invention is to provide, at a low manufacturing cost, a practical and efficient furnace of the rotary type for the roasting of ores, suitable for continuous op- 19 eration as distinguished yfrom batch operation, and in which the roasting period for the ores may be regulated and controlled. My furnace is especially adapted for roasting ores requiringv volatilization.

In order that my invention may be clearly" understood and readily carried into effect, the same is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals indicate like parts. Of such drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of my de-v vice. l

Fig. 2 is a cross-section ythrough the line A-B, Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is a cross-section through the line Fig. 1.

p In detail, my construction consists of a horizontally disposed cylindrical metal shell, 2, provided with front and rear heads, 3- and 4, respectively, each provided with circular openings, 5. The inner surfaces of the shell and the heads are faced with protective material. Collars, 6, also of protective material, are provided for said openings, 5. Suitably tires, 7 adapted to roll on flanged trunnions, 8, keyed on parallel horizontally disposed driven shafts, 9, rotatable within journals, 10,

'mounted on suitable supports, 11. By placing the trunnions with their flanged portions adjacent to the heads any tendency for the shell to move laterally is checked. Any suitable means may be employedto drive the driven shafts, v9. The horizontal disposition of the shell avoids the necessity of gearing, eliminates all need for thrust bearings, and requires utilization of the minimum of power for rotating the shell.

From a suitable supply source (not shown) ore to be roasted is-admitted into the shell attached to the outer surface of said shell are 1929. Serial No. 373,252.

through a feed-pipe, 12, inserted through the rear head, 4, and terminating within the shell. The front head, -3, is provided with a ven-t, 13, through whichi the calcined mate rial is discharged. The amount of calcined material discharged lwith each revolution of Y the shell is controlled by a gate, 14. Heat." for `.calcininfr purposes, emanating from a suitable fire ox, 15, is admitted into the shell through the opening, 5, in the front head, 3, 6o and the gases produced by the roasting of the ores, together with the products of combustion, are carried off through the openin 5,v in the rear head, 4, into the flue, 16, for w atever further treatment they may require. e5

My device is operated as follows: Power is applied and the shell caused to rotate. Ore to be roasted is then fed into the shell in a continuous stream by means of the feedi pipe, The ore thus fed tends constantly to seek alevel within the shell, due to the rotary motion ,of the shell itself and also to the gressure exerted by the mass of incoming ore.

ut as theshell rotates the roasted ore is intermittently discharged from the shell j through the vent located in the front head vwhich travels in a. circular path concentric with the axis of thefshell.

The size of the vent determines the amount of ore discharged at each revolution of the shell, and, consequently, how long the ore remains withinthe shell. I control the size of the vent by means of the gate, and am thus able to regulate the duration of the roasting proesjsin a continuous feed rotary furnace.

1.l A continuous feed ore furnace, consisting of a horizontally disposed cylindrical shell rotatable about a horizontal axis; heads for said shell located at opposite ends thereof; tires for said shell supported on rotatable trunnions carried byparallel shafts; checks for said trunnions adapted to engage said tires; an ore inta-ke and a heat intake oppositively located in said op osing heads; an open passage for the intermittent direct dischaige of calcined ore suitably located in lsaid heat intake head; and an adjustably mounted gate for said passage.

2. A continuous feed ore furnace, consistmc ing of a horizontally disposed cylindrical shell rotatable about a horizontal'axis; opposing heads for said shell, one provided with a heat intake, the other with an untreated ore intake; tires for said shell supported on rotatable trunnions carried by parallel shafts; checks for said trunnions adapted to engage saidtires; a'n open passage-Way for the direct discharge of calcined ore located in said heat intake head; and means for regulating the roasting period for the ore, the same consisting of an adjustably mounted door for said passage-Way.

3. A continuous feed ore furnace, consisting of a horizontally disposed cylindrical shellrotatable about a horizontal axis; opposing-,heads for said shell, one provided with.a'heat intake, the other with an untreated ore intake; an open, passage-way in said heat intake head whereby calcined ore is intermittently discharged direct Jfrom said lshell when said shell is being rotated; and an adjustably mounted gate for sa'd passageway. i 4. `A continuous feed ore furnace, consisting of a horizontally disposed cylindrical shell rotatable about a horizontal axis; opposing heads for said shell, one provided with a heat intake, the other with an untreated ore intake; rotatable trunnions for said shell; checks for said trunnions; and means for controlling the duration of the roasting period, the same consisting of anopen passageway for calcined ores located in said heat intake head, and an adjustably mounted door for said passage-Way.

5. A continuous feed ore furnace, consisting ofy a .horizontally disposed cylindrical shell rotatable about a horizontal axis; opposing heads vfor said shell, one provided with a heat intake, the other with an untreated'ore intake; and an open passage-Way rovided with yan adjustably mounted gate ocated in said heat intake head for. regulating the duration of the ore roasting period.

6. A continuous feed ore furnace, consisting of a horizontally disposed cylindrical shell rotatable about a horizontal axis; opposing heads for said shell, one provided With a heat intake, the other with an untreated ore intake; and an open regulatory passageway for calcined ores and for the admission of secondary air located in said heat intakehead ang22 provided with an adjustably mounted ga 7. A continuous feed ore furnace, consisting of a horizontally disposed cylindrical shell rotatable about a horizontal axis; a heat intake head and an untreated ore intake head located at opposite ends of said shell; an open passage-Wa located in said heat intake head,

y means o which secondary airis admitted to ores being calcined and calcined ores are intermittently dischar ed direct from the shell while the latter is eing rotated, and an signature.

e ALFRED M. THOMSEN. 

